Cyclone Winston: At least six dead in Fiji after powerful storm tears through island

Jamie Bullen21 February 2016

At least six people have died in Fiji after a powerful storm tore through the island.

Cyclone Winston brought winds of up to 177mph to the country on Saturday, which has destroyed homes and reportedly flattened some villages.

The Government has declared a 30-day state of natural disaster, which gives police extra powers to arrest people without a warrant.

A nationwide curfew has also been imposed until Monday morning.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said many people had been left without power, water or electricity.

In a televised address, he said: “The damage has been widespread, homes have been destroyed, many low-lying areas have flooded, and many people have been left stunned and confused about what to do,

"This is a time of sorrow, but it will also be a time of action. We will stand united in the face of this disaster."

The storm, moved westward after hitting Viti Levu, in the north of the islands, and changed direction as it approached the capital Suva.

Destruction: Road workers remove a fallen tree blocking a road near Lami, Fiji
AP

Alice Clements, a spokeswoman for UNICEF, said; “Truth be told, we've gotten off pretty lightly here in the capital,"

"It was still a pretty awful night. You could hear crashing trees and power lines, and popping rivets as roofs got lifted and ripped out."

Authorities said about 80 per cent of the nation's 900,000 population were without regular power.

Nearly 500 people have been forced to leave their homes to stay in emergency shelters.

Officials said the number of evacuees was expected to rise.

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